Napa · Napa Valley
Visit Yao Family Wines with a Private Chauffeur
Napa Valley Cabernet from basketball great Yao Ming, grown from Coombsville to Atlas Peak. Yao Family Wines does not receive visitors; here is what to know, and a day at sought-after estates nearby that do host.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Yao Family Wines belongs to Yao Ming, the Basketball Hall of Famer who starred for the Houston Rockets. He launched the winery with the 2009 vintage, and the first wines were released in 2011. Veteran winemaker Tom Hinde, whose career included Kendall-Jackson and Flowers, partnered with Yao to develop the wines in the early years.
The grapes come from six vineyards in Napa County, from Coombsville in the south to mountain sites on Atlas Peak and in Soda Canyon, all within the Napa Valley AVA, and production is about 8,500 cases a year. Robert Parker gave the 2015 Howell Mountain Cabernet, just three barrels, 94 points. The list includes the Yao Ming Cabernet, a Family Reserve Cabernet, a Napa Valley Brut and the Napa Crest wines.
In 2016 Yao opened a tasting room on Main Street in St. Helena, which has since closed. Today the wines are sold through the winery's online store and The Founders Club wine club, and the winery publishes no tours or tastings. The day below takes you to three estates nearby that do host, in Carneros, Coombsville and Soda Canyon.
Tasting Fees
Yao Family Wines does not offer tastings.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Napa
AVA
Napa Valley
Visiting
Yao Family Wines does not publish any tours or tastings; its St. Helena tasting room has closed.
Known For
Yao Ming Cabernet Sauvignon and Family Reserve Cabernet
Founded
2011 (first vintage 2009)
Good to Know
Buy through the online store at yaofamilywines.com or join The Founders Club wine club.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Andaz Napa or Archer Hotel Napa.
10:00 · Pickup at Andaz Napa or Archer Hotel Napa
Since Yao Family Wines does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Andaz Napa and Archer Hotel Napa, both in downtown Napa, are each about 15 minutes from the first stop in Carneros. The day runs about six hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Arietta
About 15 minutes away. Andy Erickson's label, poured at the Hudson winery on the Carneros ranch where its flagship H Block Cabernet Franc grows. The Classic Portfolio Tasting of six current releases is $100, 60 to 90 minutes. By appointment, Tuesday to Saturday.
11:45 · Black Cat Vineyard
About 15 minutes away. Tracey Reichow's Coombsville estate, founded in 1999, where the Syrah and Cabernet vines share the land with the family home and private tastings are few, with club members first. The format and any fee are confirmed when the request is accepted. We allow about an hour.
12:55 · Lunch at Angèle
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Angèle, a French brasserie on the Napa River in downtown Napa, serving lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:30 · Guarachi Family Wines
About 25 minutes away. Meadowrock Estate up Soda Canyon Road, where Chilean-born importer Alex Guarachi finished a winery in 2017 and every bottle is estate grown. VIP tastings by private request with at least two days' notice; the fee is confirmed when we book. We allow about 75 minutes.
3:45 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:05 p.m., about six hours after pickup.
About $100 per person at Arietta; Black Cat Vineyard and Guarachi Family Wines confirm their fees when the visits are booked. Fees are paid directly to each winery.
Arietta hosts Tuesday to Saturday; on other days we suggest another Carneros estate. Black Cat and Guarachi host by private request, so we send the requests early. Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting.
Every tour is custom. This day is a starting point: your chauffeur will shape it around what matters to you, and we plan multi-day tours for guests who want to see more of wine country.
Your Vehicle & Six-Hour Tour Rates
Up to 6 guests
Elite Luxury SUV
Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade
From $750
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $125 each.
Up to 9 guests
Jet Sprinter or Executive Luxury Van
Captain's chairs and room to spread out
From $1,350
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $225 each.
Larger groups travel in more than one vehicle, and we plan the winery appointments around your group, since many wineries limit groups to 6 to 8 guests. Tasting fees are separate and paid directly to each winery. Every tour starts with six hours; add time by the hour when you book.
Questions
Can you visit Yao Family Wines?
No. Its St. Helena tasting room has closed and the winery publishes no tours or tastings, as of September 2026. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Yao Family Wines?
Through the online store at yaofamilywines.com or by joining The Founders Club wine club.
Who owns Yao Family Wines?
Yao Ming, the retired Houston Rockets center and Basketball Hall of Famer.
Where do Yao Family grapes come from?
Six vineyards in Napa County, from Coombsville in the south to Atlas Peak and Soda Canyon in the eastern hills.
What is Yao Family Wines known for?
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, led by the Yao Ming Cabernet and the limited Family Reserve; Robert Parker rated the 2015 Howell Mountain Cabernet 94 points.
How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?
Reserve a six-hour tour online, even if your plans are still taking shape. Your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Extra hours can be added.
Reserve Your Tour Now, Plan the Details Later
Your plans don't need to be final to book. Reserve your six-hour tour online, and your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Prefer to talk? Call our concierge at 888-291-2328.
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